On 13 February 2025, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) convened experts, policymakers, and business leaders at United Nations Headquarters in New York to explore how standards can help businesses contribute to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The side event was held during the Third Preparatory Committee Session (3rd PrepCom) for the Fourth International Conference on Financing for Development (FFD4).
The discussions, part of an ongoing ISO-UNDP partnership, focused on the ISO/UNDP Management System Standards (MSS) – a new framework being developed to help businesses integrate sustainable development into their operations in a measurable and accountable way. The MSS builds on the ISO/UNDP Guidelines for the SDGs, which were launched to help businesses align their strategies with the SDGs.
Dr. Şebnem Şener, Head of Private Finance for the SDGs at UNDP, moderated the event, which featured a panel of distinguished speakers:
- Javier García Díaz, Vice-President (Technical Management), ISO, and Director General at UNE - Asociación Española de Normalización
- Kirsten Brosbøl, Former Minister of Environment, Denmark, and Founder and CEO of 2030beyond
- Setyo Budiantoro, SDGs Manager of the Economic Development Pillar, SDGs National Secretariat under the Ministry of National Development Planning, Indonesia
- Karén Vardanyan, Co-Founder and Co-Executive Director, Creatella Impact
- Ana Peña, Global Sustainability and Climate Change Head, Ferrovial
Panelists shared insights on the role of sustainability standards in embedding accountability, fostering partnerships, and scaling SDG-aligned investments globally.
"Standards give businesses clear steps to make sustainability part of their operations," said Dr. Şener. "The ISO/UNDP Management System Standards will provide businesses with a structured, globally recognized approach to ensure their sustainability efforts drive real impact and to be able to meet regulatory requirements easier."
Mr. García emphasized the transformative potential of the MSS: "When we create clear, international guidelines, we make it possible for any business, anywhere, to work toward sustainable development. This isn't just about large corporations – it's about giving all companies the tools they need to succeed while contributing to global goals."
Key Themes from the Discussion
The event explored how businesses and policymakers can integrate sustainability standards into their strategies effectively. Discussions focused on:
- The role of upcoming MSS in strengthening accountability for SDG impact.
- Strategies to scale adoption of sustainability standards across industries and regions, particularly in developing economies.
- The importance of public-private collaboration in financing and advancing sustainability goals.
Speakers from the private sector, governments, and international organizations highlighted how clear, internationally recognized frameworks can support long-term investment strategies, regulatory alignment, and corporate accountability.
Looking Ahead
As work continues on the ISO/UNDP MMS, the focus will be on ensuring they are accessible and practical for businesses across industries and regions. The ISO-UNDP partnership remains committed to providing businesses with the guidance and tools needed to align with global sustainable development goals.
